Hungary takes over NATO air policing mission in Lithuania

• Published date: 29 July 2022
• Publication title: LETA

VILNIUS, July 29 (LETA--BNS) - An exchange ceremony for the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission in Lithuania took place at the Air Force Base in Lithuania's northern city of Siauliai as an incoming Hungarian Air Force detachment took over the lead from the Spanish airmen, while the Czech augmentation will carry out a consecutive two-month rotation, Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense said.

"We live in turbulent times. The aggressor continues to wage war against democratic Ukraine and violate the rules-based international order. We are grateful to Spain whose Air Force has deployed here with double the usual number of fighter jets, which was both impressive and necessary," Lithuanian Deputy Minister of National Defense Vilius Semeska said during the ceremony.

Welcoming the incoming Hungarian troops, he wished them clear skies as they will guard the region for the upcoming four months.

It will be the 60th iteration of the NATO Air Policing mission in the Baltic states. It will be led by the Hungarian Air Force Detachment that deploys to Lithuania with four JJAS 39 GRIPEN fighter jets. It is going to be the third rotation of Hungary since the launch of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the...